Acute onset ocular myasthenia gravis after vaccination with the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that results in muscle weakness and fatigability. Extraocular involvement may be the first sign of disease. It may be triggered by infections, stress, or medications. We describe a first reported case of ocular MG induced by the viral vector Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, detail the pathophysiology of vaccine-induced MG, and explore the impact of COVID-19 on MG patients.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery: Safety of Individual Devices.

Primary open-angle glaucoma progression in those already on maximal medical therapy has traditionally been treated with trabeculectomy, a surgical procedure that carries a high degree of morbidity. In the last few decades, significant advances have been made in the field of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) devices, which aim to defer or prevent trabeculectomy via less arduous surgical techniques in certain types of glaucoma. Although reviews have been published examining the efficacy of various MIGS techniques, no article synthesises the comparative safety of all available devices. We performed a literature review examining the safety of MIGS devices. Fifteen devices were included, variously attempting to increase aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork or the suprachoroidal space, shunting into the subconjunctival space, or reducing aqueous production through ciliary body ablation. Notably, the earliest product attempting to increase outflow to the suprachoroidal space, Alcon's CyPass Micro-Stent, was withdrawn from the market due to concerns regarding increased corneal endothelial cell loss at five years post-implantation. All other devices were described as well-tolerated, with the most common adverse effects including hyphaema, intraocular pressure spikes, and device migration or obstruction. MIGS devices are purported to be uniformly safe, and many studies report no statistically significant increased complications beyond those associated with cataract surgery alone. It is important to note, however, the generally poor quality of current studies, with a dearth of randomised, or even prospective, data, and a large proportion of studies funded by device producers.

Patient-specific Implants for Orbital Fractures: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Orbital fractures are common facial fractures that can be challenging to repair and require careful attention to avoid unacceptable ophthalmic complications. Customized implants that are unique to an individual patient, or patient-specific implants (PSIs), have been increasingly used to repair orbital wall fractures. This systematic review summarizes the current evidence regarding custom-made orbital wall implants. METHODS: A keyword search of published literature from January 2010 to September 2021 was performed using Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library databases. Original articles that included more than 3 human subjects with an orbital fracture repaired with a PSI were included. The search results were reviewed, duplicates were removed and relevant articles were included for analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen articles meeting the inclusion criteria. The articles were categorized into 3 separate groups based on the method of PSI fabrication: manual molding of a PSI on a 3D-printed orbital model (53%), directly from a 3D printer (27%), or via a template fabricated from a 3D printer (20%). Three primary postoperative outcomes were assessed: rates of diplopia, enophthalmos, and orbital volume. Postoperative rates of diplopia and enophthalmos improved regardless of the PSI technique, and postoperative orbital volumes were reduced compared with their preoperative state. When PSIs were compared to conventional implants, patient outcomes were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: This review of existing PSI orbital implant literature highlights that while PSI can accurately and safely repair orbital fractures, patient outcomes are largely comparable to orbital fractures repaired by conventional methods, and PSI do not offer a definitive benefit over conventional implants.

Patient Reported Experience on Consenting for Surgery - Elective Versus Emergency Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Informed consent for surgery is a medical and legal requirement, but completing these does not necessarily translate to high patient satisfaction. This patient-reported experience study aimed to examine the surgical consent process, comparing the patients' experience in elective and emergency settings. METHODS: Over a 6-mo period, postoperative patients at The Alfred Hospital Breast and Endocrine Surgical Unit were invited to participate in a survey on the surgical consent process - including perceived priorities, information provided and overall experience. Standard statistical techniques were used, with a significant P-value of < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 412 patients were invited, with 130 (32%) responses. More patients underwent elective surgery (N= 90, 69%) than emergency surgery (N = 40, 31%). Emergency patients were more likely to sign the consent form regardless of its contents (93% versus 39%, P < 0.001) and more likely to be influenced by external pressures (63% versus 1%, P < 0.001). Elective patients were more likely to want to discuss their surgery with a senior surgeon (74% versus 23%, P < 0.001) and more likely to seek advice from external sources (83% versus 10%, P < 0.001). Both groups highly valued the opportunity to ask questions (67% versus 63%, P = 0.65). CONCLUSION: This study shows patients have a range of different priorities in preparation for surgery. Therefore, each consent process should be patient-specific, and focus on providing the patient with quality resources that inform decision-making.

Routine Preoperative Laryngoscopy for Thyroid Surgery Is Not Necessary Without Risk Factors.

Background: Routine preoperative vocal cord (VC) assessment with laryngoscopy in patients undergoing thyroidectomy allows clear documentation of baseline VC function, aids in surgical planning in patients with palsies, and facilitates interpretation of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) findings. We aimed to determine the incidence of preoperative vocal cord palsy (VCP); to evaluate the associated risk factors for preoperative VCP; and to calculate the cost-savings potential of implementing a selective approach. Methods: Patients with a pre-thyroidectomy VC assessment by fiberoptic laryngoscopy were retrospectively recruited from the Monash University Endocrine Surgery Unit database from 2000 to 2018. Cases with preoperative VCP were reviewed for potential contributing factors and compared with a non-palsy cohort. Results: Of the 5987 patients who had preoperative laryngoscopy, VCP was documented in 41 (0.68%) patients. Four clinical parameters were found to be potential indicators of VCP, including: age (p < 0.001), nodule ≥3.5 cm recorded on ultrasound imaging (p = 0.01), presence of voice symptoms (p < 0.001), and previous neck surgery (p < 0.001). Malignant cytology (p = 0.5) and exposure to head and neck irradiation were not different between the groups. Utilizing these risk factors, 2354 (39%) patients had at least one feature that may raise suspicion for preoperative VCP. By performing preoperative laryngoscopy only on this subset of patients, the potential cost savings exceeds 400 Australian Dollars per patient. Conclusions: Using this large dataset, we have established that a VCP is rare in the absence of a large nodule, hoarseness, or previous neck surgery. Therefore, in the era of IONM, we support a selective approach to preoperative laryngoscopy by using the aforementioned criteria.

Thyroidectomy Then and Now: A 50-Year Australian Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Since the mid-1800s, thyroidectomy has transformed from a procedure associated with high to near-zero mortality. Nonetheless, surgeons must continue to strive to improve patient care. Using historical records and contemporary data, this study compares the practice and outcomes of thyroid surgery at a tertiary institution during two periods, 50 years apart. METHODS: 'The Alfred Hospital Clinical Reports' recorded all cases of surgically managed thyroid disease from 1946 to 1959. These historical cases were compared to contemporary thyroidectomy cases at the Alfred Hospital from 2007 to 2016. Cases were compared for surgical indication and post-operative outcomes. RESULTS: There were 746 patients in the historical group (mean age 53 years; 87% female) and 787 patients in the contemporary group (mean age 52 years; 80% female). The most common indication for thyroidectomy in both groups was non-toxic nodular goitre. A greater proportion of the contemporary group were diagnosed with thyroid malignancy (27% vs. 8%; p < 0.001). The contemporary group recorded significantly fewer cases of thyrotoxic crisis (2.1% vs. 0%; p = 0.001), permanent nerve palsy (4.6% vs. 0.4%; p < 0.001) and bilateral nerve palsy (1.2% vs. 0%; p = 0.01). There were no mortalities in the contemporary group, while the historical data recorded three deaths (0.44%). CONCLUSIONS: This study compared thyroid surgery in two cohorts separated by a 50-year period. While it is not surprising that outcomes of thyroidectomy have improved, this study uniquely demonstrates trends of thyroid surgery over time and areas in which further improvements may be made.

Adrenal incidentaloma follow-up is influenced by patient, radiologic, and medical provider factors: A review of 804 cases.

BACKGROUND: The majority of adrenal incidentalomas are benign, although some are large, functional, or malignant and may require surgery. Therefore all require follow-up. This study aimed to determine the pattern of adrenal incidentaloma follow-up in a level 1 trauma center, focusing on the factors that influence whether follow-up is facilitated. METHODS: Patients with computed tomography-detected adrenal incidentalomas between January 2010 and September 2015 were included. A keyword search identified case files, which were reviewed for demographic characteristics, managing unit, computed tomography indication and findings, and follow-up arrangements. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata SE Version 14. RESULTS: A total of 38,848 chest and abdominal computed tomographic scans were performed in the study period, revealing 804 patients with adrenal incidentalomas who met inclusion criteria (mean age 65, 58% male). The mean size of adrenal incidentaloma was 23 mm. Follow-up was organized in 30% of cases and was more likely to occur in younger patients (mean age 62 vs 66, P < .001); in larger lesions (mean size 26 mm vs 21 mm, P < .001); if the computed tomographic scan suggested follow-up (P < .001); or if the computed tomography report suggested a diagnosis (P < .001). Follow-up arrangements were most likely to be made by the trauma unit (39%, P = .01). CONCLUSION: This study highlights that adrenal incidentalomas follow-up is often overlooked, and that follow-up is influenced by patient, radiologic, and medical provider factors. An adrenal lesion follow-up protocol may improve follow-up rates but requires further analysis.